NEWS

Following the fantastic response to our idea for a traditional village show, Felsted Parish Council is putting together a volunteer organising group to help make it happen.

We’d love to hear from residents who would like to get involved in planning our inaugural show -bringing together local groups, businesses and residents to celebrate village life, keep rural traditions alive and create a brilliant community event for all ages.

The working group will meet both online and in person, so you don’t need to be able to attend every meeting or have any previous event experience. We’re simply looking for people with ideas, enthusiasm and a little time to help.

Our first meeting will take place one evening in September, when we’ll start shaping the plans together.

🌿 Interested in joining the organising group?
Please email ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd-7f8a5c@krelc to register your interest.

We’d love as many parts of the village as possible to be represented. Please share!

A Felsted Parish Council initiative.

The PC has received a report of a dog possibly ingesting an unknown substance resulting in a very concerning episode with lack of awareness, head shaking and unsteadiness. Fortunately following a stay at the vets the dog is now back to normal. Please do be aware and keep a close eye on dogs when out walking particularly those off lead to make sure that they do not pick up anything they shouldn’t.

PCSO Natalie Smith will be hosting beat surgeries at:

The Wood Cottage Tea Room

These drop in sessions are an opportunity for residents to:

• speak with the local community policing team about any concerns that they may have;
• obtain crime prevention advice;
• stop by for a chat.

 The surgeries will be on:

Thursday 27th August           11am – 12pm

Thursday 24th September     11am – 12pm

 Please feel free to stop by, everyone is welcome, no appointment is necessary.

Please see the link below for the latest statement from the District Council on the unauthorised travellers site at Willows Green:

Uttlesford District Council Statement – Willows Green and Milch Hill

Please be reminded that a Parish Litter Pick is being held on Saturday 25th July 26 between 10am and midday.

Please just turn up, all help gratefully received!

Meet in the Main Playing Field Car Park (off of Jollyboys Lane North). All equipment will be provided.

UDC are consulting on it’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2027/28. To have your say please complete the online questionnaire which can be found on the Uttlesford District Council website at  https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/lcts-consultation or by emailing any comments to ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-8e1470@noitatlusnoc

The consultation closes on Monday 14 September 26.

A Parish Litter Pick is being held on Saturday 25th July 26 between 10am and midday

Meet in the Playing Field Car Park (off of Jollyboys Lane North)

You can choose which area you ‘pick’. High viz vests will be provided along with gloves, grabbers and refuse bags.

Please just turn up, all help gratefully received!

Any queries please ring Heather Read (Clerk)
on 07719 552174 or email ku.vog.cp-detslefobfsctd-96dd70@krelc

The purpose of this note is to offer a brief factual update on the activity of travellers at Willows Green and Milch Hill.

As many of you will know, over the May Bank Holiday weekend, travellers entered part of a meadow they have purchased at Willows Green and began developing the site as a permanent travellers’ site for circa 12 caravans and associated vehicles.

No planning application had been submitted before the development. (As of 10th July, no retrospective application has been seen by Felsted Parish Council.)

Following the holiday weekend, Uttlesford District Council (UDC) immediately sought and obtained a High Court injunction preventing any further development. UDC also obtained a pre-emptive injunction preventing any similar development on a site at Milch Hill, which appears to be in similar ownership.

The injunction on the Willows Green site has now been extended by the High Court for 2 years. A further hearing in relation to the site at Milch Hill is expected on the 29th of July. UDC are represented by experienced counsel.

Since the incursion at Willows Green, Felsted Parish Council has been in regular communication with both UDC and a well-structured residents’ group. We have also been in contact with our MP James Cleverly and with the Essex Police.

Several breaches of the injunction appear to have occurred and have been reported to UDC as the planning authority. UDC is continually assessing whether the alleged breaches provide sufficient evidence to support action for contempt of court.

Felsted Parish Council and UDC agree that the development on the Willows Green site is a flagrant breach of Planning Regulations and should cease and the meadow restored. The Parish Council will continue to offer support and will vigorously object to any application or retrospective planning application submitted for either site.

UDC have informed the parish that they are well-resourced and are monitoring the situation at Willows Green carefully and will seek the full power of the law to end the breaches. However, there are considerable legal hurdles to overcome before we can hope to see an end to the unlawful use and the meadow restored.

Residents in Willows Green are well organised. Other residents who observe any relevant activity are advised to report their direct observations to UDC, via either: On line at: https://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/article/5809/Report-a-possible-breach-of-planning-regulations

Or Email at: ku.vog.drofselttuobfsctd-505cfa@tnemecrofne

Residents of Uttlesford district are invited to attend a public meeting hosted by Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, to discuss local crime and community safety issues.

The meeting will take place on Monday 6th July at Saffron Walden Town Hall, Market St, Saffron Walden CB10 1HZ, starting at 7pm to 8pm.

It will give residents the opportunity to hear about the latest community safety activity in the district and raise concerns directly with those responsible for keeping Essex safe.

Roger Hirst will be joined by representatives from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service who will provide updates on local policing, fire safety, and partnership work to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. There will also be a Q&A session with the panel.

The meeting is open to all Uttlesford district residents, everyone is welcome to attend. No booking is required.